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MC1188597 Stay informedUpdated messageFeature updateUser impactAdmin impact

Microsoft Viva: Transition to VFAM-based exclusion management

From Microsoft 365 Message Center Archive by Merill Fernando · Microsoft may not have sent this notice to your tenant.
Microsoft Viva
Microsoft 365 admin center

Rollout

Rollout dates are often only in the text. When Microsoft moves them, the change shows under "What changed".

Schedule dates changed in the text

Date phrases in schedule sentences differ between the versions this installation saw
  • Seen 6 Jan 2026 early December 2025
  • Seen 5 Dec 2025 early January 2026

Read from date phrases in Microsoft's text, not from notice metadata. A changed phrase can be a moved rollout, a new milestone or just rewording; "What changed" below shows which.

What the notice says

Microsoft’s text, safely structured

Updated January 6, 2026: The rollout for VFAM based exclusion list for Viva insights and Copilot analytics is starting from Jan 6, 2026 and expected to complete by Jan 15, 2026. Exact roll out dates may vary by region. Thank you for your patience.

Introduction

We’re updating how you manage user exclusions in Viva Insights and Copilot Analytics. Starting early January 2026, exclusions will be controlled through Viva Feature Access Management (VFAM) policies instead of the current list-based method in the Microsoft 365 admin center. This new approach lets admins create user-, group-, or tenant-level policies to exclude users from all Viva Insights measurement (Copilot Dashboard, Advanced Insights, Organizational Insights), using the same scalable policy framework as other Viva features.

When this will happen

The VFAM-based exclusion feature will begin rolling out in early January 2026 (previously early December 2025). Exact rollout dates may vary by region.

How this affects your organization

Who is affected: Admins managing Viva Insights and Copilot Analytics exclusions.

What will happen

  • Existing exclusion lists will be automatically migrated to VFAM; no admin action is required.
  • Users already excluded will remain excluded across all Viva Insights experiences.
  • VFAM will become the default and only method for managing exclusions.
  • Admins will use VFAM policies to configure new exclusions at the user, group, or tenant level.
  • The exclusion behavior remains unchanged; only the configuration method is updated.

Screenshot - Viva Feature Access Management feature for Exclusion management:

What you can do to prepare

  • No immediate action is required.
  • Inform your Viva admins about the upcoming change.
  • Once VFAM is live, review your exclusion settings in the Microsoft 365 admin center (under Viva Insights).
  • Use the VFAM policy interface for any future updates.

Learn more about VFAM access: Control access to features in Microsoft 365 | Microsoft Viva | Microsoft Learn

Compliance considerations

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

What changed

Between archive captures, newest first

  1. Updated December 5, 2025: We have updated the timeline.January 6, 2026: The rollout for VFAM based exclusion list for Viva insights and Copilot analytics is starting from Jan 6, 2026 and expected to complete by Jan 15, 2026. Exact roll out dates may vary by region. Thank you for your patience.  Introduction: We’re updating how you manage user exclusions in Viva Insights and Copilot Analytics. Starting early December 2025,January 2026, exclusions will be controlled through Viva Feature Access Management (VFAM) policies instead …

    • Tags Feature update, User impact, Admin impact → Updated message, Feature update, User impact, Admin impact

    Updated December 5, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.  Introduction: We’re updating how you manage user exclusions in Viva Insights and … will happen: The VFAM-based exclusion feature will begin rolling out in early January 2026 (previously early December 2025.2025). Exact rollout dates may vary by region. How this affects your organization: …

  3. · first version seen

Learn more

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What this page cannot tell you
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